Best-laid plans fail as only 700 people turn up

The ambitious organisers of the much-anticipated SlutWalk had grander plans of eclipsing everything the VIP district of New Delhi had ever witnessed.

The ambitious organisers of the much-anticipated SlutWalk had grander plans.

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When a motley crew of teenagers representing the event organisers and composed mainly of college students, knocked on the doors of the Delhi Police to seek permission for the walk in early April, they had plans of eclipsing everything the VIP district of New Delhi had ever witnessed.

"Initially, they had sought permission for a gathering of anything between 25,000 to 30,000 people to walk at the India Gate Lawns and even the north and south avenues," said a senior police officer. The estimate had been based on the organisers' virtual fan base on social networking websites.

However, when apprised of the cost - which would have run into several lakhs - the said organisers were 'made to see reason' and accepted Jantar Mantar as an alternate location. As per police estimates, a mere 700 participants were present in the entire Jantar Mantar area during the event. The participants, sources said, made-up for roughly 15% of the number.

"We had deployed five companies, that is around 400 to 450 officers, to keep the law and order situation under control during the event," said KC Dwivedi, additional commissioner of police (New Delhi).